Natural Cures For Bug Bites, Sunburn And Other Summer Woes
You’d love a natural cure for bug bites, bee stings, sunburn, dehydration and other summer woes that can befall your child. But perhaps you’re not convinced those natural remedies will really do the job. “Some parents are skeptical that natural cures don’t work as well as conventional over-the-counter treatments–you know the ones loaded with chemicals you can’t pronounce,” says pediatrician Lawrence Rosen, MD, co-author of Treatment Alternatives For Children, and a founding member of the American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Complementary and Integrative Medicine. “But for many common pediatric conditions natural remedies are safer, more cost-effective and work just well—if not better—than conventional medications.”
These four natural remedies are OK to use for babies on up. “There are no med interactions I know of with any of these and allergies are very rare,” says Dr. Rosen, “but you should check the label—and be open with your doctor about all treatments you are using.” If you think immediate medical attention is necessary, or a problem gets worse with a home treatment, call your doctor.
A natural cure for insect bites
“For pesky insect bites, go to your kitchen cabinet before your medicine cabinet,” says Dr. Rosen. “Baking soda has alkaline properties that help neutralize insect bites.” Mix the powder with a bit of water to make a paste, then apply as needed until the pain and itching subside.
A natural cure for stings
“‘Like cures like'” is one of the core principles of homeopathic medicine, so for bee stings I recommend homeopathic Apis mellifica, derived from the honeybee,” says Dr. Rosen. As with many homeopathic remedies, you can pick it up at Whole Foods, natural pharmacies and other stores carrying natural foods; go for the 30c strength. Administer a dose immediately after the sting to limit pain, redness and swelling. Dr. Rosen’s Rx: “Give five pellets every 15 minutes for the first hour, placed under the tongue, then hourly for four hours and then every two to four hours for the remainder of the first 24 hours, while your child is awake. Then give five pellets three times a day for several days until any soreness or bruising has resolved.” For kids who can’t or won’t put tablets under their tongue, he says,”dissolve five pellets in one ounce of water and let them sip every fifteen minutes for the first hour. Toss any excess, then repeat the pellet dissolve-and-sip each hour for four hours, until your child goes to sleep.”
A natural cure for sunburn
“If you have one plant in your house, it should be Aloe vera,” says Dr. Rosen. “The sticky gel found inside its spiky leaves contains numerous natural chemicals that block pain, itching, inflammation and infection, while increasing circulation to speed healing.” The cure is as old as the hills: Medical use dates back 6000 years to ancient Egypt, based on stone carvings. Buy the stuff if you don’t have a plant around, and apply as often as needed to soothe skin.
A natural cure for dehydration
You tell your kids to drink up on hot days, but (shocker!) they don’t always listen. Signs of dehdyration in childreninclude sleepiness or tiredness, thirst and decreased urine output—no wet diapers for three hours for infants, and eight hours or more sans pee for older kids. “Consider coconut water, perhaps nature’s best rehydration solution,” recommends Dr. Rosen. “Rich in natural electrolytes, coconut water is now readily available and provides a holistic option to stay hydrated on those hot summer days.”
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